Labour’s Amy Nicholls has been confirmed as the new Mayor of Luton, with a social media tribute from MP Rachel Hopkins suggesting she may be the youngest person ever to hold the role.
Nicholls, who represents Northwell ward for Labour, was chosen as mayor at Luton Borough Council’s annual meeting on Tuesday night (20 May), succeeding outgoing mayor councillor Tahmina Saleem.
“Huge congratulations to my great friend (and team member) councillor Amy Nicholls on taking up the role of Luton Mayor for the next 12 months,” the Luton South MP posted on Facebook. “Great to see her as (maybe) our youngest ever Mayor … seeing young people involved in civic life and serving our town is definitely something to celebrate. Congratulations to councillor Shahanara Naser as Deputy Mayor too.”
The Liberal Democrats nominated Sundon Park councillor Clive Mead for the role, but he lost out in the vote.
Nicholls was first elected in a 2018 by-election for Limbury and she switched to Northwell for the 2023 local elections. She will continue as chair of the council’s standards committee and remains a director on the board of London Luton Airport Limited during her mayoral term.
Labour’s Shahanara Naser, councillor for Saints ward, was voted in as deputy mayor following another contested vote. She replaces Northwell councillor Babatunde Ajisola. The Lib Dems had put forward Vauxhall councillor Terry Keens for the role, but he was unsuccessful.
Council leader Hazel Simmons, who represents Lewsey, also announced appointments to the Executive. Javed Hussain (Poets) stays on as deputy leader, while retiring member Tom Shaw (Challney) is replaced by Ghulam Abbas (Saints).
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